A really special evening to be at Loughborough University showcasing the newly refurbished and improved facilities on campus. Well done to Nick Jennings CB FRS FREng with Joanne Jennings for continuing to support the ongoing journey to keep Loughborough at the top for sports excellence and research.

🥇 And of course a special moment to spend time as always with Baroness Sue Campbell. From the first time we met at the University on 1996 when she explained the role of the Youth Sport Trust I never knew just how much we would work together as the 'Team Loughborough' in so many aspects of sport - through schools, the 2012 Olympics and the Team GB successes as part of the HM Treasury agreeing to invest in our medal success. Everyone I know in sport who has met Sue knows just how impressive she has been for sport and many thousands of individuals.

⛰️ For me it's part of a 20+ years journey with several of the people there last night when the 'British Academy of Sport' concept was floated in the mid 90s and worked with the likes of Rod Thorpe and Jon Walker with Sir David Wallace to ensure Loughborough was at the heart of what has now become the UK Sports Institute. I even got to officially open some of the facilities that we secured. But in sport - like in life - you can't sit back and rest on your laurels. To stay at the top Loughborough Sport needs to keep investing and improving. So well done to Prof. Jo Maher and the team Louise Gear Olivia Murphy alongside others at the University Vicky Goosey-Tolfrey Tommy Yule OLY Rich Ellis jack buckner Penny Briscoe CBE Lauren Sherar and special guest Denise Lewis.

😊 Several times this week I have been reminded just how old I am and how long I have 'been around' parts of history. Mid week presenting to an MP who was still a Student whilst I was an MP and now seeing that facilities I still regard as quite new are over 20+ years old and in need of an upgrade. I am sure there is a message in there for my own journey!!